Maths14-16
14-16
You might be looking forward to dropping maths at the first available opportunity, but don't be too hasty. Whether you plan to go on to work, A-levels (or equivalent), or other further studies, a good understanding of maths will be useful to you. Your number skills will come in handy in everyday situations, such as trying to work out whether you can afford those shoes you're after. Learning to think like a mathematician will improve your problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Waste not, want not
Think recycling is too much hard work? It can actually be easier than throwing waste away.
Life without a calculator
How did people deal with big numbers before the invention of the calculator?
Do iPods really shuffle?
Switching to shuffle is a great way of changing up your playlist, but a random mix isn't always best.
Sign on the dotted line
It's called the music “business” for a reason, so find out if you're getting a good deal.
Multiple exposures
If you want to be a top photographer, learning ratios and sequences will get you the best results.
Solved at Last
Could you imagine spending years working on a mathematical problem, then becoming famous worldwide once you solved it?
Million-year-old maths
Ancient dinosaur fossils are often missing bones, but maths can help fill in the blanks.
Making monsters
Mathematicians used to worry about fractals, until they realised just how useful these ‘monster curves’ are.
The answer is blowing in the wind
Howling gales might not be much fun, but they could light up the country.
Can numbers explain the universe?
Scientists use numbers to describe the rules of the universe. Where do these numbers come from, and what do they mean?
Cut it out and curl it up
Hairstyling is an art, and like all artists hairdressers need to understand geometry.
Keeping an eye on the ball
In or out? Sports careers can turn on an umpire’s decision, so now they’re bringing in mathematicians to help make the calls.